Scratch a Sherlock Holmes - Cineplex.com

INTERVIEW CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER
THE
SHOW
MUST
GO
ON
Christopher Plummer talks
about how Heath Ledger’s death
affected The Imaginarium of Doctor
Parnassus, and why the late star
isn’t really dead, anyway
✒ BY MATHIEU CHANTELOIS
In the hallway of the Intercontinental Hotel during the
Toronto International Film Festival the publicist for
legendary actor Christopher Plummer is begging me
to finish my interview as quickly as I can because
“Mr. Plummer is exhausted and really wants to get out
of here as soon as possible.”
I’m expecting the worst from the actor who has a
reputation for being a bit brusk.
A few minutes later Plummer, who turns 80 this
month, opens the door of his suite. With a huge smile
and a velvet voice, the native Montrealer (his greatgrandfather
Sir John Abbott was Canada’s third
prime minister) who is best known as Julie Andrews’
baron in The Sound of Music graciously welcomes me
42 FAMOUS DECEMBER 2009
into his hotel room. Strangely, he doesn’t seem worn out at all.
For his latest film, Plummer reunites with his Twelve Monkeys
director Terry Gilliam for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, the
film Heath Ledger was making when he died suddenly in January
of 2008. The film ends with the credit: “A Film From Heath Ledger
and Friends,” since Ledger’s buddies Johnny Depp, Jude Law and
Colin Farrell pitched in to finish the actor’s role.
The story opens in contemporary London, where Plummer’s
self-proclaimed doctor — or “old drunken magician,” as the actor
describes his character — is putting on a pathetic slideshow for
the inebriated folk pouring out of the bars. Run by Doctor Parnassus
and a few other eccentrics (later joined by Ledger’s mysterious
Tony), the travelling show does, however, boast a few impressive
tricks, including a magic mirror that allows one to pass into another
dimension — which is the plot device that allows Depp, Law
and Farrell to play Ledger’s alter egos on the other side.
Q:What was your reaction when you read Terry Gilliam’s script?
A: “I know him a little bit, and [his scripts] always need work because
he’s painted a marvellous character — he’s painted him and
sketched him, even in the writing, you know, [but] it isn’t finished....
What is finished, however, are his wonderful drawings…which he
sent me in a wonderful bound book. I just looked at continued
Scratch a
Sherlock Sherlock Holmes Holmes – The Movie
INSTANT ticket for a chance
to win up to $75,000.
Available at your OLG lottery
retailer only for a limited time.
Movie in Theatres December 25, th Movie in Theatres December 25, 2009
th 2009
www.Sherlock-Holmes-Movie.com
www.Sherlock-Holmes-Movie.com
Motion Picture Artwork and Photography © 2009 Warner Bros. Entertainment.
All Rights Reserved.
knowyourlimit.ca olg.ca
1-800-387-0098